Belgian Knockout betting tips
Bored of the usual strokeplay grind? Well a week in Antwerp might be just for you. Let’s have a look at my Belgian Knockout betting tips…
The details
The venue: Rinkven International, Antwerp, Belgium
Date: May 30-June 2, 2019
Course stats: Par 71, 6,924 yards
Course summary: A composite course of the 36-holes on site will be used for a format that is two rounds of strokeplay with 64 qualifiers playing 9-hole knockouts over the weekend. A tree-lined layout, water is prevalent on eight holes and accuracy from the tee is essential as the rough is very tricky.
Purse: €1 million
Defending champion: Adrian Otaegui
TV Coverage
Thursday: Sky Sports Golf, 11am; Sky Sports Golf, 3pm.
Friday: Sky Sports Golf, 11am; Sky Sports Golf, 3pm.
Saturday: Sky Sports Golf, 12pm.
Sunday: Sky Sports Golf, 11.30am.
Belgian Knockout betting tips: Steve’s players to follow
With a succession of 9-hole head-to-head games needing negotiating on the final two days – a format that has the potential to be a complete lottery to me – I want to keep things relatively simple and concentrate on players who are in good form and might at least make the 64 qualifiers.
From there, it’s anyone’s guess.
Romain Langasque (33/1) seems to fit the bill nicely enough. Third last week at the Made in Denmark, he was tied for 5th in China and finishing top 10 in a similar looking field at the Kenya Open.
He missed the cut 12 months ago, but no one can argue he hasn’t made some serious strides since then. He should also enjoy the head-to-head aspect if he progresses – Langasque won the Amateur Championship in 2015.
It might feel like I’m getting on the gravy train a little too late here, but Robert MacIntyre (40/1) has only narrowly missed out on a maiden win over the last two weeks.
The way he approached the final rounds at the British Masters and the Made in Denmark suggested to most people a player who might soon get over the hump. This field isn’t nearly as good as what he’s faced in the last couple of weeks.
The knockout format isn’t quite matchplay but MacIntyre definitely enjoys the cut-and-thrust of man-to-man combat. Only Scott Gregory beat him at the 2016 Amateur Championship and he took a point and a half from Cameron Champ in singles at the 2017 Walker Cup.
Matthew Southgate (50/1) returned to form with a top 10 at Himmerland and that seems significant given his run to the last 16 here a year ago. Southgate narrowly went down to eventual winner Adrian Otaegui with a score that would have been good enough to win most of the other clashes.
Belgian Knockout betting tips: Notables
Thomas Pieters (22/1) will be keen to do well as his family have organised and promoted the whole event.
That didn’t help much 12 months ago as he lost at the first knockout stage and, for a guy who is heading the betting markets, his recent form is best described as average.
Most of the European Tour’s top flight have left this tournament well alone but, even so, it will need a significant upturn in performance to see him lifting this trophy.
Bernd Wiesberger (30/1) might enjoy something a bit different after winning the Made in Denmark last week.
But, in general and particularly considering the struggle of coming back from long-term injury last year, it would be no surprise if the Austrian let his hair down this week.
For the latest prices, visit bet365
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Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
